MLB Insider Weighs Potential for Tarik Skubal Trade

Skubal signed a one-year, $32 million contract this offseason after winning a landmark arbitration hearing. Trade rumors surrounding Skubal have been swirling since last year, when he entered the final year of his contract. At the end of this season, Skubal will become an unrestricted free agent, and every major market team with deep pockets will be lined up to offer him a historic deal.

When a player of Skubal's stature is set to become a free agent, there is usually trade speculation, especially if it is believed that they will not be returning to their team. Last season, Skubal was linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he ended up staying with the Tigers and signing his one-year deal. With the Tigers currently in last place in their division, those trade talks are inevitably going to come back ahead of MLB's trade deadline on August 3rd.

Jon Heyman Calls Skubal Trade "Unlikely"

MLB Insider Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) touched on Skubal's situation during his weekly segment with Bleacher Report.

"They have not played well, they are underperforming, they have not done as expected. I think it's unlikely that Skubal gets traded," Heyman said. "I feel like he's got a year to go; this year, he's a free agent after the year, and they'll take the draft choice if they have to, and give him the qualifying offer."

While the Tigers are in last place in the division, they are only 3.5 games back of the Cleveland Guardians for first place. They are also just 1.5 games back of the final AL Wild Card spot, so it is safe to say the season is far from over for Detroit.

With Skubal expected back within the next eight weeks, the Tigers still have time to make up some ground before getting their ace back on the mound. The team's offense has stalled, sitting 17th in MLB in runs scored, and prized free agent signing Framber Valdez has underperformed greatly. The Tigers have the talent to get back to the postseason, but if they are not able to turn things around soon, they might have to start considering some of those trade offers for Skubal.